Where to stay in Tokyo

Tokyo Introduction

With 23 districts that each have their own distinctive character and appeal, the land of cherry blossoms, trailblazing fashion, and all things ""kawaii"" can be intimidating to tourists, especially first-time visitors. The vibrant Japanese capital is a topnotch destination because there’s something here for everybody, whether you’re keen to see historic temples in Asakusa, buy cutting-edge gadgets in Akihabara, or soak up youth culture in Shibuya. Don’t forget to stuff yourself silly with the freshest sushi and all kinds of Japanese delicacies. Department stores usually have food halls on the basement floors.

Hotels in Tokyo

Accommodations in Tokyo run the gamut from capsule hotels to apartment rentals to 5-star properties. You can also consider lodging in a ryokan – a traditional Japanese inn that offers rooms with tatami flooring, futon beds, and sliding doors. You can combine both local and Western amenities by booking a Japanese-style room with futon bedding, an option provided by many inns and hotels. Tokyo’s top-tier hotels offer indoor or outdoor pools, health clubs, and spas; they usually have several restaurants and bars. Travelers on a shoestring budget can opt for pared-down rooms in hostels and inns, or tiny pods in capsule hotels, many of which are either women-only or men-only.

Where to stay

If you don’t want to splurge on accommodations, try the Asakusa district, home to the Senso-ji Buddhist temple, Tokyo’s oldest temple. Lodging in Asakusa ranges from cheap and cheerful quarters to rooms with superb city views. If shopping is a major part of your itinerary, look at hotels in the Ginza fashion district. There are a few high-end hotels and tons of cheap to mid-range options, and you’ll be close to upmarket department stores and designer boutiques. Shinjuku is arguably the most buzzing district in Tokyo, which makes it a fantastic, albeit expensive, choice for lodging. There’s a good concentration of high-profile hotels in this area, and you’ll be near Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden’s cherry blossoms (in the spring) and the Shinjuku train station.

Things to see

If you’re only around for a few days, plan a visit to the Imperial Palace and the East Gardens in Chiyoda. Then, stop by the imposing Senso-ji temple in Asakusa, Tokyo’s largest and oldest Buddhist temple. If popular culture is your jam, you can check out Shibuya’s Harajuku district, which attracts fashionistas and younger crowds. Fans of Miyazaki Hayao’s animated films should swing by the Ghibli Museum in West Tokyo; tickets must be purchased in advance. If you’re visiting Tokyo in the springtime, try to catch the famous cherry blossoms for a photo opportunity you wouldn’t want to miss.

How to get to Tokyo

As Japan’s premier hub for rail and air transportation, Tokyo has an incredible, if confounding, public transport network. There are over 900 train stations in Tokyo, servicing more than 60 train lines. The Tokyo subway is the most convenient means of moving around within the city, though be warned that “packed like sardines” can be an understatement when it comes to subway cars during the morning rush. The JR Yamanote rail line loops around central Tokyo. Other transport options include the Tokyo Monorail, the trams of the Toden Arakawa Line, and the public buses. To get into Tokyo from Narita or Haneda Airport, you can take a train or bus; both are much cheaper than hopping into a taxi.